Monday's NBA Summer League recap

by Barca Blog - Derrick Byars did not play in Indiana's NBA summer league opener in Orlando Monday afternoon due to coach's decision, according to the box score.

The Pacers used nine of the 13 players on their roster to defeat the split squad of New Jersey/Philadelphia, 75-67 in overtime, led by Tyler Hansbrough's team-high 17 points.

Indiana will next take on Oklahoma City Tuesday at 6 p.m. CT. Click Here to follow the Orlando Summer League all week.

Byars in action today

by Barca Blog - Derrick Byars will resume his quest to make an NBA roster when the Orlando Summer League opens Monday at 2 p.m. CT.

Two season removed from his collegiate career at Vanderbilt, Byars will suit up for the Indiana Pacers over the next five days with a chance to showcase his talents to the entire league.

There could be a log jam for playing time considering the Pacers have three first-round picks from the last two drafts on their summer league roster in Tyler Hansbrough (UNC), Brandon Rush (Kansas) and Roy Hibbert (Georgetown), as well as second-round picks A.J. Price (UConn) and Josh McRoberts (Duke).

Byars spent last year playing for the Bakersfield Jam in the NBA Development League. He was a second team All-NBADL selection, averaging 17.9 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and one steal per game while shooting 47.5 percent from the field and 38.3 percent from long range.

Indiana will take on a split squad comprised of players from New Jersey and Philadelphia at 2 p.m. CT today. Watch live video of the action here.

Also of note... Shan Foster will once again play for Dallas in the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas from July 10-19, while Matt Freije will be on Portland's roster.

Byars eyes NBA

by Barca Blog - Good article in the Memphis Commercial Appeal on Derrick Byars. Coming off a solid year in the NBDL, Byars is training in his hometown with hopes of getting another shot at the NBA. Click here to read Scott Cacciola's story on the former Commodore.

Byars recognized by D-League

by Barca Blog - Former Commodore Derrick Byars was selected to the All-NBA D-League second team on Monday.

Byars is having a solid year for the Bakersfield Jam, averaging 18.4 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.0 steal per game while shooting 49 percent from the field and 39 percent from long range. In February, he scored a game-high 18 points in the D-League's All-Star Game.

With only two games left in the regular season, Byars and the Jam are battling to make the postseason and need a win at Idaho on Wednesday or Friday to clinch the team's first-ever playoff berth.

(Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE)

Byars shines at All-Star game

Click image to view larger picture (Gary Dineen/Getty Images/NBAE)

Posted by Barca Blog

Former Commodore Derrick Byars (Bakersfield Jam) scored a game-high 18 points to help lead the Red Team past the Blue Team, 113-103, Saturday in the 2009 NBA D-League All-Star Game in Phoenix, Ariz. Byars finished 7-for-12 from the field and 3-for-6 from three-point range with five rebounds and two assists.

Here's the complete recap, box score and video highlights.

Byars participates in All-Star Day of Service

Posted by Barca Blog (Courtesy of the NBA Development League)

Bakersfield's Derrick Byars was one of many NBA D-Leaguers taking part in NBA All-Star Day of Service on Friday. Byars helped to construct a playground in a Phoenix neighborhood. View several pictures of Byars in this photo gallery at NBA.com.

Byars thanks fans for All-Star votes

A few weeks ago I posted a link where Vanderbilt fans could help vote former basketball star Derrick Byars into the third annual NBA D-League All-Star game.

Every vote helped as Byars was selected as an All-Star for the Red team on Tuesday. Byars thanked Commodore fans for their support.

"I appreciate the involvement in my being selected for the All-Star game,” Byars said, “even though I'm two years removed my last game in a Vanderbilt uniform. I appreciate the fans and followers who voted because they didn't necessarily have to. I look forward to their continued support."

Byars leads the Bakersfield Jam in points (18.0) and assists (3.0), while also pulling down 4.8 rebounds per game. He’s sixth in the league in three-point percentage (.437) and eighth in three-pointers made (52). In his last game Thursday, Byars scorched Anaheim for 31 points on 9-for-12 shooting from the field including 6-for-8 from three-point range.

The NBA D-League All-Star game is scheduled for February 14 at 1 p.m. CT in Phoenix, Ariz. To view the entire roster, click here.

Finally, take a trip down memory lane with some of Byars’ highlights from his senior season in 2006-07.

Vote for Derrick Byars

Vanderbilt fans, you can help Derrick Byars get selected to the 2009 NBA D-League All-Star game. All you have to do is vote!

The former Commodore is currently averaging 17.0 ppg, 4.7 rpg, and 2.6 apg for the Bakersfield Jam. Byars is also fifth in the league in three point percentage (.488). He's has been on a tear of late, scoring at least 20 points in eight of his last 11 games.

In his senior season at Vanderbilt, Byars was named the 2007 SEC Player of the Year and led the 'Dores to a Sweet 16 appearance.

The NBA D-League All-Star game is scheduled for February 14 at 1 p.m. CT in Phoenix, Ariz.

Click Here to Vote